In this issue, we discuss how global challenges drive innovation. We study novel biotech concepts at the largest ethanol plant in Europe and ask Dave Rule, President of IIAR, what he foresees for the future of refrigeration.

Tracy Hakala is our Managing Director for China, Australia and New Zealand. Living and working in different countries and environments has made her an expert on cross-cultural communication.

Read how dedication and excellent cooperation between Vahterus, Kapp Netherlands and Kisuma resulted in a 31 day delivery of customised heat exchanger solutions.

Colonial Pipeline, the largest US refined products pipeline system, spans 5,500 miles from the Gulf Coast of Texas to the Port of New York and New Jersey. Delivering over 100 million gallons of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel daily, this vital infrastructure facilitates the seamless movement of energy products through 13 states. In 2016, facing maintenance challenges with aging equipment, Colonial Pipeline turned to Vahterus Plate & Shell Heat Exchangers to enhance efficiency.

A pioneer in refrigeration, John Wijbenga has devoted his career to understanding and developing systems with ammonia. At 72, he is still an active contributor to the industry and believes that the secret of success lies in carrying out ordinary daily activities unusually well.

In order to build a safer tomorrow, both for the planet and for people, industries are creating new technologies and solutions. While change can take time, examples of positive trends can be seen in each sector. The rise of heat and exhaust recovery, for example, has been made possible and increasingly efficient by new product innovations.

Omnia Limited's chemical complex in Sasolburg, South Africa, relies on imported ammonia for nitric acid and ammonium nitrate production. In Richards Bay, the choice of Vahterus Plate & Shell Heat Exchangers (PSHEs) by ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions South Africa and Zonke Engineering has significantly optimized cost and performance in ammonia recovery systems.

Vahterus Plate & Shell Heat exchangers play a pivotal role in thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions' urea plants, optimizing the hydrolysis and desorption phases. Since 2012, Vahterus has been a key supplier, delivering compact, cost-effective solutions that meet stringent safety standards. These heat exchangers, used between the desorber and hydrolyser, have proven their longevity and reliability, with the oldest unit surpassing 15 years of continuous service.

In the pursuit of efficient and compact solutions for Gas-to-Liquid, Power-to-Liquid, and Power-to-Gas processes, INERATEC has found a reliable ally in Vahterus Heat Exchangers. Successfully integrated into INERATEC’s container-sized chemical plants, Vahterus PSHEs play a pivotal role in ensuring high thermal efficiency through effective heat recovery and compact heating and cooling, particularly exemplified in the Power-to-Liquid process at their Karlsruhe site, marking a successful collaboration between the two innovators.

While standards have helped the refrigeration industry to improve and set safety requirements, the International Institute of Refrigeration is proposing a working group to enhance refrigeration safety.